(Daily Mi: 15.1) Surprisingly tough hike today. Out late and took a disappointing .5 side trail to check out Pilger Ruh (Pilgrim's Rest) an oddly named, but otherwise ordinary, piped spring. The trail was very boney through the first part of the walk. I couldn't get a rhythm going to save my life. Came on a very pretty cascading stream and waterfalls about 7 miles into the hike. Nice campsite nearby. Stopped for water and lunch. Hiked hard through the afternoon. Last four miles were very level, and I managed to hammer it out in just over an hour. About 1 mile before the end I almost stepped on a *timber rattler* sunning itself on the trail. It sounded off just as my foot was coming down. I launched five feet backwards. It hesitated a moment and then slithered off into the brush. Cold, cold sweat. Just a so-so shelter but a very nice site. A little, railed footbridge crosses the water source on the side trail to the shelter, and a pair of log benches sit at the crest of either bank above the stream. Piper, Choo Choo and couple known as the Llamas (very big backpacks) in for the night.